Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade has offered an emphatic defence of Germany international team-mate Florian Wirtz, insisting Liverpool’s record signing is already proving his class despite a goal-shy introduction to the Premier League.
Liverpool went to extraordinary lengths to bring Wirtz to Anfield in the summer window, paying an initial £100m a deal that could reach £116m with add-ons to prise him away from Bayer Leverkusen.
It was a statement of intent from the champions and a move that placed immediate spotlight on the 22-year-old midfielder, who had attracted heavyweight interest from Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid before choosing Merseyside.
But the early months of the season have been shaped by wider change across the club, and those close to Wirtz are urging patience.
Among them is Newcastle United forward Woltemade, who knows Wirtz both personally and professionally and who believes the Liverpool playmaker is settling far better than many outside observers realise.
Liverpool’s off-season was one of the most significant in the club’s recent history. Arne Slot, fresh from returning the Premier League trophy to Anfield, and sporting director Richard Hughes oversaw an unprecedented level of turnover.
Several high-profile players left, major wages were cleared, and key recruitment decisions were accelerated to ensure Liverpool remained competitive domestically and in Europe.
Given the sheer volume of arrivals and departures, it would have been unreasonable to expect instantaneous cohesion.
Wirtz, more than most, had the task of adapting not only to a new club and culture but to the physical, tactical and emotional demands of the Premier League a league known for exposing even the most decorated young players.
And yet, even within a Liverpool side still building rhythm, Wirtz has already shown flashes of the talent that made him one of Europe’s most exciting prospects.
He was excellent in the Community Shield defeat over Crystal Palace at Wembley, providing an early glimpse of his creativity and fearlessness in possession.
Before the first international break of the 2025/26 campaign he grew in influence during Liverpool’s crucial home victory over Arsenal, linking midfield and attack with the intelligence that made him invaluable under Xabi Alonso.
Wirtz kept his place for the league win against Burnley and the Champions League triumph over Atletico Madrid, and although he dropped to the bench for the Merseyside derby win over Everton and was given a full rest against Southampton.
He then responded emphatically on the European stage with two assists in Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Woltemade made a club-record move of his own when Newcastle brought him in earlier this year. Despite scoring six goals already for the Magpies, the German striker knows how difficult the shift from the Bundesliga to the Premier League can be.
Speaking to NTV, Woltemade stressed that Wirtz’s performances should not be reduced to goals and assists alone:
“For every player, adjusting isn’t easy. But he’s doing very well.”
“On paper, you might not see the goals, but if you compare my games with his, he’s much more involved in play. I’ve probably been in the right spot three or four times, received the ball and scored – but he’s very active in the game, gets lots of touches and makes good plays.”
The striker went further, explaining that Wirtz has always been a player whose value goes beyond raw statistics. His influence comes in his ability to find pockets of space, dictate tempo, and link midfield with attack traits that often take time to register fully in England’s unforgiving top flight.
Liverpool’s deadline-day spree, which also saw the arrival of Alexander Isak, brought the combined outlay on Wirtz and the Swedish striker close to a quarter of a billion pounds. Remarkably, neither have yet opened their Premier League account.
But inside Kirkby, there is zero concern about the numbers. Coaches highlight Wirtz’s off-ball intelligence, his defensive pressing metrics, his receptions under pressure and his role in Liverpool’s attacking structures as signs of steady progression rather than struggle.
Those who worked with him at Leverkusen say the same: Wirtz has always been a rhythm player who blossoms once fully attuned to the system around him.
Both Wirtz and Woltemade have now turned their attention to Germany, where they will attempt to guide their country to next summer’s World Cup.
Only two positive results against Luxembourg and Slovakia will guarantee qualification, with national coach Julian Nagelsmann keen to build his side around a young, progressive core.
Woltemade, who scored his first senior international goal last month, remains unwavering in his belief that Wirtz will flourish for club and country.
“He’s very active in the game, gets lots of touches and makes good plays,” he repeated.
“He’ll come good.”
For Liverpool, the signs are already there. For those closest to him, the verdict is unanimous.
Florian Wirtz is settling. Florian Wirtz is growing and sooner rather than later, he will be flying.
